The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-03-12
To Moderate Drinkers.

MEssRs EDIToRs viii you kindly
permit me to say few words, in your
Peoples Column" to our advocates of
moderation.
In all temperance reform we shall do
well to employ the force of example. And
this on the ground of Christian prudence
under special circumstance. Though /
may feel free to use wine or spirits with
out discovering any harm to myself, yet
should consider carefully whether by
abstaining / may not be enabled to exer-
else more influence over Others" This
is certainly safe and Scriptural ground.
1t is beautiful example of the love of
our neighbor which is the essence of ali
duty between man and man. 1t is car
ing for his welfare just as l would care
for my own. This was Paul's magnani-
nous course when trouble arose in the
Church upon the question of eating
meats which had been offered to idols,
and afterwards sold in the markets. Some
CAAAA1NAtAAAo hNAC hNAludllLtu 1T lDt
thought of eating such flesh. Paul felt
free to do it. An idol was nothing to
him, he said. He could eat such meat.
But, said he, "if my eating meat cause
my brother to offend (stumble,) will
eat no meat while the world standeth."
This is loving our neighbor as ourselves,
by making his welfare and happiness as
important as our own. Apply this rule to
the liquor question, my brother, and in
trying to help others you may save your
own chlld,-that boy who is so consti-
tuted that he cannot be a moderate
drinker. For there are persons who must
either be total abstainers or drunkards.
and often this is not found out until it is
too late. My boy or yours may be so
constituted. Yes, brother, you may per-
haps save your own son by this law Of
holy self-denial for examples sake. 81
am not afraid, say you. "No man who
loves liquor is ever safe" said an emf
nent Judge to a friend of mine, and then
cited the case of a gifted jurist, his friend
and companion, who had reached his
sxtieth year without ever having been
seen to stagger After that ripe age he
became Il hopeless drunkard and died in
a debauch. Not afraid" say you? Then
must others be afraid for you. Not
afraid Mark the words of the wise
King; Wine is mocker,-an whose
ever is deceiUed hereJg is not wise" The
history Of the world from the DAYS of
Noah proves that the love of wine and
strong drink is Il most insidious vice.
The poor victims are convinced too late.
that they have been mockedand grievously
dece'ced. This insinuating habit has crept
with stealthy tread into the Senate cham
bers to paralize that tongue upon whose
eloquence nation hung entranced. It
has surprised the soldier in his tent,
when, but for it, his ringing voice and
flashing sword might have led embattled
hosts to victory and fame Not afraid >
1t has stolen like demon into the sanct-
uary Of God; has sat at the Lords table
with its flushed visage and blood shot
eye. 1t has entered the sacred desk, to
make the name of the minister of Christ
a byword in the rum shop, and the song
of drunkards. Surely then "whosoerer is
deceired thereby is not uir." And surely
we need to hear and heed that warning
voice. Let him that thinketh he stand
eth take heed lest he fall. a" CLIP.